Shelters hoping to protect cats from the many pathogens that can lead to symptoms of feline URI should take note of a recent study that showed intranasal vaccines for feline herpesvirus (FHV) and calicivirus (FCV) protect against illness from other pathogens, too.

In a study involving 20 kittens, half were vaccinated for FHV and FCV, and half were not. All were then infected with Bordetella bronchiseptica. Nine of the ten unvaccinated kittens developed sneezing, but only 2 of the ten vaccinated kittens did.

The study authors concluded:

Intranasal vaccination against FHV-1 and FCV decreased signs of illness due to an infectious agent not contained in the vaccine. This nonspecific immunity could be beneficial for protection against organisms for which vaccines are not available…

Bradley, A., Kinyon, J., Frana, T., Bolte, D., Hyatt, D.R. and Lappin, M.R. (2012), Efficacy of Intranasal Administration of a Modified Live Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus Vaccine against Disease Caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica after Experimental Challenge. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00982.x